“From three weeks ago crying in bed because I can’t walk" - Emotional Michael Smith qualifies for Grand Slam of Darts after difficult weeks

Michael Smith managed to qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts in impressive and emotional fashion. The former World Champion, who has been struggling with a serious injury in recent weeks, spoke candidly afterwards about the tough period he has been going through and the tremendous relief his qualification brought.

The former world champion recently struggled with an injury that even temporarily confined him to bed. Yet, against all odds, he managed to fight back and secure his place at the Grand Slam of Darts during the qualifiers.

“You don’t understand the relief I felt today playing these matches. From three weeks ago crying in bed because I can’t walk to then winning the qualifiers today. Felt unreal,” said Smith on Facebook.

“I don’t show what I’ve been doing in the practice room but some of my game come out to play. Just my emotions.”

His words touched a nerve with fans and colleagues. Smith is known as a player with tremendous natural class, but his openness about mental and physical struggles shows how thin the line is between success and adversity in elite sports.

During qualifying, Smith showed flashes of his old level: strong on the doubles, high scores and, above all, the characteristic fighting spirit that made him the world champion before. That he could show this after such a difficult period made the moment extra special.

Smith also has good experience with the Grand Slam of Darts, having already won the tournament once in 2022. Two months later he became world champion. Whether it will be the same this time seems highly doubtful, but thanks to this qualification Smith can once again look to the future with hope.